Weather log September 2024

Weather log September 2024

Key

CC = Chiffchaff
WW= Willow Warbler
ST = Song Thrush
BB = Blackbird

TL = thunder & lightning

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

Nott = Nottingham

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

Mids = Midlands

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

MO = Met Office

NRW = National Resources Wales

EA = Environment Agency

est = estimated

inc = including

cf= compared with

srb = since records began

Sun 1st warm night in many places, minima Pembrey Sands 15.9c, Pershore 15.8c, CL & Trawsgoed 15.4c, Lwn 14.4c, Nott 13.8c, CC 13.0c. Warm/ very warm and humid by day (Wellesbourne max 25.4c, Whitechurch 24.1c) in spite of much cloud. Thunderstorms affected W Mids and NW Wales pm giving over an inch locally. East of Brum mainly escaped along with S of Aberystwyth.

Mon 2nd very warm night many places, minima Pershore 18.3c, Pembrey Sands 17.8c, Coventry 16.8c, Lwn 16.7c, CC & CL 15.8c. Nott 15.7c. A wet night much of WW with over an inch in places (W Pembs escaped); 23.4mm the highest daily total since April here at Lwn. To 2100 Gogerddan near Aberystwyth wettest in the UK with 41mm.

Thu 5th touch of grass frost overnight here at Lwn min +1.9c at 5 feet, coldest spot officially in the UK Trawsgoed 4.5c with no official ground frosts reported. This was the first frost of the Season here. Some rain and thundery showers affected parts of S Wales and Herefordshire today, giving an inch in places (parts of Carms judging by the radar). ROW 15.6mm, just 2mm here at Lwn on the northern edge of the rain.

Fri 6th the thundery low over Biscay/France continues to see spirals of thundery activity moving east to west across S UK throughout today giving large rainfall totals much of the south (over 100mm in 3 days for some) Also the air is now warm and very humid, overnight low here at Lwn 16.1c in contrast to 1.9c 24 hours previously (this only a 1c drop from the maximum yesterday. Other minima Pershore 17.4c, Trawsgoed 17.0c, Coventry 16.7c, Hereford & Pembrey Sands 16.6c, MH & Shawbury 15.2c, Aberdaron 15.1c. A clump of thundery showers tracked west across the southern Cotswolds (around Stroud) early morning then S Wales and a couple of hours later gave TL near Carmarthen. Warm or very warm and humid with sunny spells, maxima Wellesbourne 26.9c, CL 26.6c, Lwn 26.1c, CITE 25.8c, Coventry 25.6c, Trawsgoed 25.9c, Hereford 23.9c, Aberporth 19.6c. Another area of rain and thunderstorms affected S Wales during the evening, particularly Swansea and Gower with local flooding and much TL, radar suggesting over 2 inches; greatest fall NRW gauge Southgate on the Gower over 60mm for 5th/ 6th (much of it during the evening storms). Victoria Park, Swansea a dubious 89mm I have raised doubts over this with Derek Brockway with what with some ridiculously high monthly totals at that site these past 12 months which can be double nearest gauges (one month over 400mm VP, nearest gauges 200 - 250mm.

Sat 7th another warm night generally minima 14 to 17c, Hereford & Shobdon 16.9c, CL & Coventry 16.5c,  Aberdaron 15.9c, Lwn & Pembrey Sands 15.3c, Shawbury 13.7c, Mona 13.2c.

Sun 8th rainy much of Wales and the Marches, thundery showers parts of SE Mids. Shropshire had a deluge today, with Monkmoor (EA) gauge in Shrewsbury having 73mm (almost 3 inches) while Shawbury MO a few miles away was the wettest MO station today in the UK having 69.2mm. Feeling very Autumnal across west Wales today with all the rain drizzle and later keen wind, maxima just 15 to 18c (Aberdaron & Aberporth max 15.2c, Lwn 15.6c), in contrast Coventry a rather warm 22.6c with sunny intervals and just a few showers; CL has had just 7mm so far this month hence dodging the really wet weather not so far away.

After a rather warm start a very cool Autumnal spell towards mid month as Arctic air arrived:

Wed 11th cool/ very cool and showery, hail and thunder locally. First thunder since May here at Lwn, nice little storm around 1545 with close L and loud T and a drop in temperature down to 9.5c from earlier maximum of 13.4c. Thunder also reported mid afternoon Stratford upon Avon. Seemed more like an April showers day with the cool clear air and Cumulonimbus clouds. Maxima CC 12.1c, CITE 13.0c, Lwn 13.4c, Aberporth 13.5c, Coleshill 13.5c, Coventry 14.7c, MH 15.7c, Pershore 17.3c.

Thu 12th very cool and showery again, hail in many here at Lwn; thunder more isolated today (reported from CV13 (N Warks) late afternoon). Maxima widely below 15c, here at Llanwnnen it was the coolest day recorded  so early on in Autumn (however the coolest September day remains max 10.5c 25/09/2012). Other max: CC 11.9c, Trawsgoed 12.7c, Shawbury 13.2c, Coventry 13.8c, MH 14.4c, Market Bosworth 14.7c, Nott 14.9c, Pershore 15.9c.

Fri 13th widespread unseasonal ground frost and local air frost; here at Llanwnnen min -1.6c was the coldest night so early in Autumn although did not quite beat the September record (-1.9c 29/09/2018). Other minima Llysdinam (Powys) -0.9c, Swyddffynnon (Ceredigion) 0.0c, Tirabad -0.4c, Pershore & Wellesbourne +0.5c, Trawsgoed 0.6c, CITE 0.8c, CL 1.1c, Coventry 3.0c, Nott 3.3c, Aberdaron 8.4c.

First half of September has been rather cool or average temperature-wise; rainfall very variable from dry to very wet; a dull or rather dull month to date.

September rainfall 1st - 0900 16th:

Mona 59.2mm (rather wet), CC 88.4mm (average), Trawsgoed 82.6mm (very wet), Llanwnnen 64.9mm (rather wet), Pembrey Sands 63.4mm (very wet), Milford Haven 38.6mm (average); Nottingham (Watnall) 27.0mm (ave), Shawbury c 113mm (double the whole Sept average), Coleshill 37.4mm (rather wet), Coventry 24.6mm (rather dry), Church Lawford 21.0mm (dry), Pershore 34.6mm (rather wet), Shobdon (Herefordshire) 56.2mm (very wet).

Sunshine 1st - 15th Sept: Aberdaron 57 hours (rather dull), Llanwnnen est 37 hours (dull), Nottingham 52 hrs (rather dull), Coventry 55 hrs (dull), Shobdon 51 hrs (dull).

Just after mid month, in contrast to last week a taste of Summer, in fact here at Lwn it was perhaps the finest spell of the year with several days of warm sunny weather. It has been such a dull year here that until September no spell had exceeded more than a couple of sunny days (over 10 hours daily):

Mon 16th warm and sunny, widely over 10 hours (max possible mid September 12 hours). Maximum Llanwnnen 22.3c above the warmest UK spot officially (Trawsgoed 21.9c). Other maxima CITE & Pershore 20.5c, Coventry 19.5c, Coleshill & Shawbury 18.8c, Aberporth 17.6c. Sunshine Nottingham 11.6 hours, Aberporth & Coventry 11.5 hours, Llanwnnen estimated 11.5 hours (sunniest day of 'Summer' % wise here).

Tue 17th close to a grass frost in places, air minima Tirabad (Sennybridge) 2.5c, Shobdon 2.9c, Llanwnnen 3.1c, Pershore 3.5c, Pembrey Sands 4.8c, Coventry 7.8c, MH 10.6c, though Aberdaron a very mild 13.0c on the Llyn Peninsular. Another fine sunny day (foggy start in places such as Coventry0 and warm, maxima Llanwnnen 22.6c, Whitechurch 22.1c,  Trawsgoed 22.0c, MH 20.7c, Pershore 20.4c,  CITE 20.2c, CL 19.8c, Nott, Shawbury & Shobdon 19.3c, Aberporth 17.1c. Here at Llanwnnen an unbroken 11.5 hours estimated sun was the only day of 2024 of full sun thus far; Aberdaron 11.7 hrs, Nott 11.5 hrs, Shobdon 11.4 hrs similarly sunny.

Wed 18th Mist or low cloud from the North Sea in places am, down to 3c in places (Shobdon min 3.0c). More cloud, sunny intervals Mids, WW mostly sunny and warm again, maxima Whitechurch (Pembs) 23.4c, MH 22.2c, Lwn 21.5c, Wellesbourne (Warks) 20.9c, CITE & CL 20.3c, Shobdon 18.6c, Aberporth 17.4c. Sunshine: Aberdaron 11.5 hrs, Coventry 4.8 hrs.

Thu 19th North Sea cloud affecting Midlands again with some sun afternoon, warm sunny periods WW. Maxima Whitechurch 24.2c, MH 22.2c, Lwn 21.8c, Market Bosworth & Mona 19.3c, Nott 18.2c.

Fri 20th warm with some sun for most, SW Midlands experienced thunderstorms during the afternoon/ early evening, Gloucester & Cheltenham had one storm after another giving over 3 inches in places (with 2 inches in an hour locally), Herefordshire also caught the storms. These tracked into mid Wales with a few rumbles here at Lwn 1800 but these then died down. Rainfall totals (most of these amounts fell in 3 or 4 hours): Ledbury (Herefordshire EA) 73.2mm, Dowdeswell (EA gauge near Cheltenham) 59mm; PWS at Hucclecote Green (Gloucester) 97mm. There was heavy hail (photos of hail drifts) and localised flooding reported today.

Sat 21st more incredible rainfall today over parts of the Midlands: showery rain in many places today, some places though small amounts only such as much of S Mids. Thunderstorms developed widely across the Midlands afternoon becoming organised north of Coventry and Worcester with successive deluges over N Mids. Very active thunderstorms affected the Black Country, Northants, and then most of the N Mids during the evening. Brief thunderstorms affected Coventry early evening but the worst was Nuneaton north. Hail and localised flooding, radar suggested over an inch widely N Mids with close on 100mm locally.

Daily totals (EA gauges): Longcliffe (edge of Derbyshire Peaks) 67mm all of which fell during the evening in 6 hours; also Evington (Leicester) 42.4mm. Nottingham 36mm wettest MO station in the UK (2100).

Sun 22nd another washout day in some areas with further flooding. Overnight thunderstorms affected E Mids in particular with spectacular lightning. heavy rain and some thunder across much of Warwickshire and Coventry during the morning (12mm 09-10am King's Newnham (near Rugby). 

24 hour totals 0900 BST: King's Newnham 31.2mm, Bablake School, Coventry 28.6mm, Church Lawford 24mm. In contrast just 1.8mm here in Llanwnnen, and small amounts only for many other parts of WW. 

Further slow moving areas of rain and thunderstorms developed over the E Mids in particular pm, with patchy rain elsewhere. Northants caught these quite a bit but neighbouring Bedfordshire worst hit with up to 150mm recorded by Dunstable PWS's (Flitton Hill 151mm, Houghton Regis 150mm). Woburn 108.8mm (2100) wettest MO station in the UK Sunday. Flitwick (EA) in Beds 117.6mm (midnight) Widely 2 inches across Northants (Wellingborough EA 65mm). Other regional highest falls today at MO stations were Market Bosworth 32.6mm (E Mids) and Coventry 32.0mm (W Mids) in the 24 hours to 2100.

Mon 23rd another day of huge rainfall totals, these affecting the S Midlands along with adjacent parts of southern England throughout the day. An Amber warning issued by the MO yesterday was for the N & W Mids to see over 100mm in places on Monday, however it was obvious with the overnight rainfall distribution that more southern parts of the Midlands would be affected and the Amber warning duly shifted south to cover Bristol, Gloucester and Northampton, while areas such as Birmingham, Derby & Nottingham formerly in the Amber now not expected to see large disruptive falls. Greatest falls today were across Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds widely 2 or 3 inches with some locations well above 100mm. Oxford Radcliffe Met station had recorded 77mm in the 24 hours to 0900 making it the wettest day in the city since the infamous floods of July 10th 1968. With further rain all day today it is likely that Oxford will see its greatest ever 48 hour fall (98mm in July 1968 to beat). This was the fourth successive day for notably large daily rainfalls across southern and central England. S Warks joined in with heavy rains later in the day too, with Knightcote (EA) receiving almost an inch in 2 hours (15-1700).  Tiddington PWS near Thame (Oxon) shows an astounding 199mm for today (to midnight) and looks ok as a neighbouring PWS on 174mm and supported by radar estimates, numerous Oxfordshire stations over 100mm. Wettest place in UK officially MO station South Newington near Banbury 108mm. Wellesbourne 41.3mm wettest MO station West Mids. 

Comparison of EA gauges Staffordshire south to Oxford (24 hours to midnight): Lichfield 3.2mm, Saltley (Brum) 13.2mm, King's Newnham 19.2mm, Warwick 33.4mm, Preston Capes (Northants) 109.4mm, Banbury (Grimsbury) 92.6mm, Chipping Norton (N Cotswolds)) 105.6mm, Wheatley (near Oxford) 123.1mm.

Thu 26th showers or longer spells of rain, hail and thunder in places (Midlands in particular): a convergence zone formed from mid Wales through the central Midlands pm, enhancing the rain and showers with some lively thunderstorms affecting the Midlands (inc Brum and Leicester) giving over an inch in an hour locally, with thunder being heard across most of Warwickshire. Hereford wettest MO station in the Midlands today (28.6mm) although some spots falling between the MO gauge network topped in excess of 2 inches.

Fri 27th EA gauge 24 hour totals to 0900: Solihull 50.4mm, Elmdon airport 50.0mm, Warwick 34.9mm, Hinckley 28.8mm, Braunston 24.4mm, King's Newnham 22.0mm. MO readings Church Lawford 28.8mm, Coventry (Bablake School) 22.2mm, Llanwnnen 15.1mm. N Mids escaped lightly (Watnall, Notts just 5.4mm). Coventry area has now had close on 5 inches for September to date (much of this in the past week).

Nature notes

Plenty of hirundines early month seem to be gathering ready to leave us.

Early month: fall of Copper Beech mast.

Fri 7th another flying Ant day, there was one last weekend too including in our boiler room, they won't learn to climb up to the open window unfortunately and don't seem to know how to fly!

Sun 8th Aberaeron half dozen Starlings singing away merrily sheltering from the wind atop lighting units in the eaves of a harbourside building was unexpected at this time of year.

Speckled Woods in the garden often a feature of September so far, also the occasional Dragonfly and Damsel Fly.

Mon 16th one of the sunniest days of the year (% wise) brought out much insect life. Hornet feeding on Apples the highlight along with a Painted Lady. Also lots of Wasps and Greenbottles and Spiders building their webs.

Tue 17th 2 Hornets on Apples. Snatch of Chiffchaff this morning, not unusual to hear one in Autumn as they move south. Still quite a few Swallows but fewer House Martins.

Holly berries turning with some of last years red ones still on.

Wed 18th Nolton Haven (Pembrokeshire): around 15 hirundines at a farm driving towards Nolton this afternoon. Several Chiffchaff singing in the scrub, also Blackcap subsong. Quite a few Painted Ladies.

Fri 20th A Hornet or 2 been on and off the Apples all week now, Painted Ladies daily. 

Mon 23rd Hornet on the Apples again briefly in spite it being a cool cloudy day.

Few Swallows and Martins being seen by month end. Robins singing well past week or so.

Sat 28th Aberystwyth dusk: 4 House Martin flying up to nests (no chicks seen poking out) on the estate opposite Welsh Gvt.

September 2024 summary

Rather cool/ average; rather dull/ dull.

Midlands had a very wet month with over twice the average and 400% for some. Radar estimated accumulations over the whole counties of Leicestershire & Northants 197mm.

WW variable rain from rather dry to very wet.

All locations below average sun.

Rainfall totals Sept 2024

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 176.6mm (rather dry)

Mona, Anglesey 115.4mm (rather wet)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 132.0mm (wet)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog c 100mm (rather wet)

Llanwnnen 137.2mm (120%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 124.6mm (wet)

Milford Haven, Pembs 118.4mm (rather wet)

Nottingham c 155mm (over 250%)

Shawbury, Salop c 185mm (3 times average)

Coleshill c 160mm (over 250%)

Coventry, Bablake School 133.8mm (227%)

CL, Warks 131.6mm (202%)

Pershore, Worc 134.0mm (over 250%)

Hereford c 180mm (well over 300%)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 135.2mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges Sept 2024

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 134.8mm (wet)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 163.6mm (average)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 226.2mm (rather dry)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 108.6mm (rather wet)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 181.4mm (ave)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 105.2mm (rather wet)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 123.2mm (ave)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 124.6mm (average)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 111.6mm (ave)

Pencader (Carms) 123.2mm (ave)

Abergorllech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 136.2mm (ave)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 133.2mm (ave)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 138.4mm (ave)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 151.8mm (wet)

Southgate, Gower 220.0mm (twice average)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 76.2mm (rather dry)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 140.8mm (ave)

Tenby (Pembs) 148.0mm (wet)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 81.0mm (rather dry)

COL stations rainfall Sept 2024

Llansadwrn 178.3mm (176%)

Ludlow, Salop 123.5mm (193%)

Alvechurch, Worc 169.7mm 259%

Warstock, Brum 178.2mm (270%)

Great Alne (near Alcester, Warks) 209.3mm (411%)

Cosby, Leic 140.3mm (240%)

Hinckley 184.6mm (318%)

Towcester, Northants 194.4mm (318%)

Sunshine totals Sept 2024

Aberdaron 132 hours (rather dull)

Aberporth c 107 hours (dull)

Llanwnnen estimated  93 hours (75%)

Nottingham 107 hrs (rather dull)

Shawbury c78 hrs (very dull)

Coventry, Bablake School 113.8 hrs (91%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 90 hrs (dull)

COL stations sun:

Ludlow 94.5 hrs (65%)

Alvechurch 85.2 hrs (67%)

Cosby 110.5 hrs (79%)

Towcester 118.2 hrs 

Weather log August 2024

Weather log August 2024

Key:

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

Mids = Midlands

Nott = Nottingham

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

MO = Met Office

NRW = National Resources Wales

EA = Environment Agency

est = estimated

inc = including

cf= compared with

srb = since records began

TL = thunder and lightning

CC = Chiffchaff
WW= Willow Warbler
ST = Song Thrush
BB = Blackbird

Changeable start to August, some rain or showers, but also warm sunny spells:

Thu 1st warm night Mids, lows Hereford 17.9c, Pershore 16.4c, Coventry 17.2c, Shawbury 15.6c, Trawsgoed 15.5c, Mona 12.6c, Lwn 11.8c. Local downpours and isolated thunder early hours into morning with over an inch parts of Brum (Sutton Coldfield (EA) 26.4mm and Short Heath (PWS) 36mm in one hour. Further thunderstorms broke out S & E Mids pm these locally torrential over 2 inches; one such storm affected the area between Coventry & Rugby early evening with much TL and localised flooding, King's Newnham (EA) gauge caught 18mm in one hour (total 23mm) while just 3 miles south Church Lawford (MO) escaped with just 1mm, a mile or so north of King's Newnham near Easenhall a PWS had 46mm. Another EA gauge at Kibworth (Leic) caught 34mm in the hour 7 to 8pm  (43mm total). It was another warm to hot day, last of a 4 day heatwave much of Mids (over 27c): maxima CL & Pershore 28.1c, Coventry 27.0c, CITE 26.7c, Nott 25.7c, Pembrey Sands & Shawbury 24.8c,  Lwn 23.6c, MH & Trawsgoed 22.9c, Aberporth 18.8c.

Fri 2nd still very warm sunny periods Mids close to 80f in places, maxima: Pershore 25.9c (79f), Nott 25.5c, CL, Coleshill & Coventry 25.2c, CITE 24.8c, Shawbury & Shobdon 23.3c, Trawsgoed 21.8c, Aberporth 21.6c, Lwn 20.5c, CC 18.1c.

Mon 5th warm night across WW, minima Trawsgoed & Pembrey Sands 16.8c, Lwn 15.9c, Shobdon 15.3c, CL 14.1c, CC 13.9c.

Fri 9th warm night Mids, minima CL & Pershore 17.1c, Nott 16.1c, Pembrey Sands 15.3c, CC 13.7c, Lwn 13.1c.

Sat 10th start of a rather brief warm/hot spell; maxima Pershore 26.3c (warmest in UK), Shobdon 25.2c, Sutton Bonington 25.0c, Coventry 24.9c, Llanwnnen 22.7c, MH 20.9c, Aberdaron 18.0c. Sunny intervals many places, here it became sunny pm.

Sun 11th widely very warm or hot after a relatively cool night (Llanwnnen low 7.2c). Sunny periods Mids, sunny spells WW, maxima Pershore 29.2c, Coleshill 28.0c, Hereford & Lwn 27.7c, CITE & Coventry 27.4c, Nott & Shawbury 26.8c, Pembrey Sands 26.1c, Aberporth 25.7c, Aberdaron 22.2c. The heat plume proper arrived during the evening (20c upper air temperatures at 850mbar level into south UK) with elevated thunderstorms over the Irish Sea, lightning visible parts of Wales. 

Mon 12th 'tropical night' (not below 20c) parts of Wales: here at Llanwnnen a record warm night, after a dip in temperatures 2100 to 19.8c, most of the night 21 or 22c; noted several PWS 23 or 24c WW during the early hours this is exceptional, also Aberporth & Trawsgoed 22 or 23c much of the night. The less warm air mass arrived dawn, minima 19.6c Lwn 0840 (beating 17.8c July 2014). Other minima Trawsgoed 21.0c, Aberporth & Pembrey Sands 18.7c, Pershore & Shawbury 18.5c, CC 17.9c, CL 17.1c, Nott 15.0c. Thundery showers in places overnight, lasting into day time parts of Mids (plentiful TL Brum morning also heard from Coventry). Hot sunny spells much of the Mids also localised thundery showers, particularly E Mids afternoon. For WW much cooler and fresher but with sunny spells. Some places cooler by day than during the previous night, e.g. Aberporth down to 17 or 18c by day (Llanwnnen managed 23.5c however). Other maxima (from 0900) Astwood Bank 28.8c, Coventry 28.7c, CITE 27.5c, Shawbury 24.5c, Trawsgoed 20.8c, Aberporth 19.1c. Cambridge NIAB the UK hot spot at 34.8c today.

Tuesday 13th still warm and sunny Mids, WW cloudy and became rather wet, over an inch in places, although NW Wales did not have much; maxima Wellesbourne 26.2c, Coventry 26.0c, Nottingham 25.5c, Shobdon 22.5c, Lwn 17.6c, Aberdaron 16.3c; rainfall Pembrey Sands 24.4mm (wettest in UK) although Tavernspite NRW gauge (Pembs) 34mm; Llanwnnen 15mm more typical of mid & SW Wales.

Wed 14th in contrast to yesterday most of WW had a fine day with plentiful sunshine, much of the Mids (away from brighter Marches) cloudy with light rain or drizzle in places; temperatures generally 18 to 21c (Lwn 20.4c felt warm) but MH max 23.8c and Newport (Salop) 22.0c; Aberporth sunniest and coolest place in Wales (max 17.3c, 12.5 hours sun).

First half August has been warm, variable rainfall with sunshine rather dull to average. Much of the Mids dry so far, WW more variable from rather dry to wet (a few spots in SW Wales over the whole August average).

Rainfall totals Aug 1st - 0900 16th:

CC 94.0mm (average for first half)

Trawsgoed 44.6mm (average)

Llanwnnen 50.3mm (average)

Aberporth c 33mm (average)

Pembrey Sands 67.0mm (wet)

MH 37.8mm (average)

Nott 11.6mm (very dry)

Coleshill c 22mm 

Coventry 9.6mm (very dry)

KN (EA near Rugby) 30.6mm (average)

CL 8.2mm (very dry)

Pershore 6.8mm (very dry)

Shobdon 20.6mm (dry)

Sunshine 1st to 15th:

Llanwnnen 64 hours (estimated, rather dull)

Nott 75.5 hrs (average)

Coventry 75.4 hrs (rather dull)

Shobdon (Herefordshire) 64.2 hrs (rather dull)

Sat 17th cool night widely, Llanwnnen min 4.1c cooler than lowest official UK reading (Shobdon 4.6c), other Swyddffynnon 5.1c, Hereford 5.8c, CITE 6.9c, Pembrey Sands 7.4c, Coventry 8.1c, mild 14.0c, at Aberdaron however.

Thu 22nd warm night (above 15c) much of S Wales and Mids, minima Pembrey Sands 15.9c, Pershore 15.8c, Coventry 15.2c, MH 15.1c,  Nott 15.0c, Trawsgoed 14.7c, Lwn 14.2c, CC 13.3c.

Fri 23rd named storm 'Lilian' brought strong winds overnight gusting to 70mph in exposed locations, highest gusts CC 73mph, Aberdaron 69mph, Aberporth 66mph, Shawbury 55mph, Trawsgoed 46mph, Coventry 37mph.

Tue 27th warm night WW, minima Pembrey Sands 16.8c, Trawsgoed 16.0c, Lwn 15.2c. In contrast rather cool and damp by day, max just 17.3c Lwn and 18.3c PS.

Wed 28th slow moving fronts stuck over Wales past 2 days bringing over an inch in places, isolated lightning sferics north of Llandeilo (Carms) this morning.

Pleasant last few days to Summer 2024:

Sat 31st warm and sunny WW, Lwn max 23.1c, Whitechurch (Pembs) max 23.5c warmest in UK; other max Pembrey Sands 22.3c,  CITE 21.9c, Pershore 21.3c, Coventry 19.8c, CC 19.0c.

Nature notes

Thu 1st sat in the Uni quadrangle  for 45 minutes during which 3 or 4 Swift made screaming visitations on 3 separate occasions.

Fri 2nd scream heard from within hall dusk, no chicks audible now.

Sat 3rd glimpse of a Swift flew over garden afternoon.

Early Aug: Forestry plenty of Grasshoppers one fine afternoon, hardly any in our gardens this Summer.

Lots of Large White Butterflies in the garden this month, also a few others such as Speckled Wood & Meadow Brown; June/ July there were few Butterflies about.

Sun 11th after a hot humid day 20 to 30 mostly House Martin and some Swallow above the gardens this evening feeding and calling constantly.

Mon 12th Aberaeron: Sparrowhawk flew over my head quite low and into a tree as I walked an alleyway.

Mid month plentiful hirundines most days (especially evenings, saw some House Martins prospecting a neighbours apex 16th.

Thu 22nd Kingfisher zipped past us along the river in the Uni this afternoon very close, it shot under the bridge by the Student Union building.

Month end plentiful hirundines still most days at times.

August 2024 summary

Temperatures average to rather warm, variable rainfall, rather dull to average sunshine

Much of Mids very dry (under half average), parts of WW in contrast almost double the average.

Sunshine rather dull to average.

Rainfall totals August 2024

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 218.8mm (115%)

Mona, Anglesey 74.4mm (average)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular 68.6mm (average)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 80.0mm (ave)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog c 54mm (rather dry)

Llanwnnen 83.4mm (82%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 109.6mm (115%)

Milford Haven, Pembs 75.2mm (ave)

Mumbles, near Swansea (no longer in operation)

Nottingham 20.6mm (very dry)

Shawbury, Salop c 25mm (very dry)

Coleshill c 33mm (very dry)

Coventry, Bablake School 21.4mm (34%)

CL, Warks 21.6mm (34%)

Pershore, Worc 15.2mm (25%)

Shobdon, Herefords 32.2mm (50%) 

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 44.0mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges August 2024

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 103.0mm (average)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 90.2mm (rather dry)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 372.4mm (wet & wettest location in UK)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 77.0mm (ave)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 211.4mm (ave)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 83.0mm (average)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 80.4mm (rather dry)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 95.4mm (rather dry)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 73.2mm (rather dry)

Pencader (Carms)  137.0mm (ave)

Abergorllech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 156.0mm (rather wet)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 167.2mm (rather wet)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 139.4mm (rather wet)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 127.6mm (rather wet)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 50.6mm (dry)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 181.4mm (rather wet)

Tenby (Pembs) 103.4mm (rather wet)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 72.2mm (rather dry)

COL stations rainfall August 2024

Llansadwrn, Anglesey 86.4mm (96%)

Ludlow, Salop 33.0mm (49%)

Alvechurch, Worc 33.0mm (44%)

Warstock, Brum 32.8mm (47%)

Cosby, Leic 43.0mm (66%)

Hinckley 27.4mm 

Towcester, Northants 31.9mm (50%)

Sunshine totals Aug 2024

Llanwnnen estimated 123 hours (76%)

Aberdaron 175.6 hrs

Nottingham 158.4 hrs

Coventry, Bablake School 162 hours (93%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 129.2 hrs (77%)

COL stations sun

Ludlow 137.4 hours

Alvechurch, Worc 121.1 hrs

Cosby 158.3 hrs

Towcester 192.1 hrs

Summer 2024 summary

Cool or average temperatures; dull/ average sun; rain varied from very dry to rather wet

Many places had below average rain this Summer, just half the average parts of the Midlands; WW varied from rather dry to rather wet.

Llanwnnen coolest Summer srb 2006 (mean temp 14.2c).

Bablake school, Coventry coolest Summer since 2015 although the mean temperatures was close to average illustrating how warm Summers have been of late.

Llanwnnen no thunder heard at all (previous least 1 day Summer 2011).

Rainfall Summer 2024

Mona, Anglesey 185.6mm (near average)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 393.6mm (rather dry)

Trawsgoed 218.6mm (near average)

Aberporth c 164mm (rather dry)

Llanwnnen 193.9mm (72%)

Pembrey Sands 205.6mm (rather dry)

Milford Haven 171.0mm (rather dry)

Nottingham 150.6mm (rather dry)

Shawbury, Salop c 134mm (rather dry)

Coleshill c 114mm (dry)

Coventry 111.0mm (61%)

CL 89.0mm (50%)

Pershore 89.8mm (dry)

Summer 2024 sunshine

Aberdaron 561.6 hours (average)

Llanwnnen (estimated) 375 hours (74%)

Nottingham 491.6 hrs (average)

Coventry 550 hrs (98%)

Shobdon 448 hrs (rather dull)

Weather log July 2024

Weather log July 2024

Key:

WW = West Wales

Lwn = Llanwnnen

AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry

CL = Church Lawford

LL = Long Lawford

ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire

CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia

MH = Milford Haven

Carms = Carmarthenshire

Pembs = Pembrokeshire

Mids = Midlands

CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

COL = Climatological Observers Link

PWS = Personal weather station

MO = Met Office

NRW = National Resources Wales

EA = Environment Agency

est = estimated

inc = including

cf= compared with

srb = since records began

CC = Chiffchaff
WW= Willow Warbler
ST = Song Thrush
BB = Blackbird

Cool changeable start to July:

Sat 6th heavy downpours in places overnight, thunder in places such as Coventry (just a rumble or 2). Swyddffynnon (Ceredigion) 29.2mm wettest in Wales, also Pershore College 17.4mm.

Sun 7th scattered showers and isolated thunder today.

Mon 8th warmer day for WW, highest reading of the month to date here at Lwn (max 21.1c, this after  very cool July night min 3.2c); other maxima Porthmadog 22.5c, Nottingham 21.4c, Shawbury 20.9c,  Trawsgoed 20.6c, Coventry 19.5c, Market Bosworth 19.1c, MH 17.6c.

Tue 9th wet weather overnight, particularly Midlands where over an inch in places, Coventry 24.2mm (24 hours to 0900); MO wettest places (2100) Winterbourne (Brum) 29.2mm, Nottingham 27.8mm, also Cardiff Bute Park 37.2mm.

Mon 15th outbreaks of rain, heavy in places, some torrential locally, over an inch in places; Coventry 21.0mm (0900) while a PWS in the SW of the city (Canley) recorded 36mm (25mm of this in one hour late evening).

First half of July very cool and very dull; rainfall average to very wet.

At Llanwnnen the coolest and dullest start to July for decades, just a third of what we should have had to date sunshine wise, while mean temperature a poor 13.4c to 15th or 2c below average; Coventry has not managed 21c (70f) to date. Some places already exceeded their whole July average rainfall.

Rainfall totals July 1st - 0900 16th:

Mona 52.0mm (very wet)

CC 75.4mm (average)

Trawsgoed 60.6mm (wet)

Llanwnnen 50.5mm (near average)

Pembrey Sands 46.2mm (rather wet))

Nottingham 81.2mm (very wet)

Coventry 61.6mm (very wet having reached the monthly average)

CL 52mm (very wet)

Pershore 49.2mm (very wet)

Sunshine first half:

Llanwnnen est 32 hours (third of average)

Coventry 54 hours (very dull)

Shobdon 42 hours (very dull)

Bit of a warm/ hot spell just after mid month:

Wed 17th max Hereford 24.4c, Sutton Bonington 24.0c, CL & Shawbury 22.6c, Lwn 21.9c, Trawsgoed 21.5c, Aberdaron 17.3c.

Thu 18th  warm or very warm and humid, sunny Mids, sunny intervals WW, maxima ROW 27.3c, Pershore 27.1c, Coventry 26.8c, Cardiff Bute Park 26.7c, CL & Hereford 26.0c, Shawbury 24.5c, Lwn 23.8c, Trawsgoed 22.8c, Aberdaron 18.6c.

Fri 19th minima warm locally (over 15c): Pembrey Sands 16.0c, Nottingham 15.4c, Coventry 15.3c, Lwn 11.8c, Hereford 11.4c.WW very warm inland but cooler misty some coasts, Mids though hot and sunny all above 80f maxima: Wellesbourne 29.5c, Coventry &Nott 29.4c, CL 29.1c, Shawbury 27.3c, Trawsgoed 25.1c, Lwn 24.0c, Aberporth 21.1c, Aberdaron 18.5c.

Sat 20th warm night minima: Trawsgoed 16.8c, Pembrey Sands 16.5c, CL 16.3c, Lwn & Pershore 15.7c, CC & Shobdon 14.1c, Mona 14.0c. Still warm Mids but rather cloudy rain later, for WW became rather wet pm; maxima Pershore College 23.6c, Nottingham 23.2c, Market Bosworth 22.2c, CL & Coleshill 22.1c, Hereford 21/3c, Trawsgoed 20.4c, Lwn 19.3c, Aberdaron 16.5c.

21st to 24th: while we were in the Midlands it was mostly dry, warm and humid with sunny spells, west Wales had fared worse with much cloud and some rain or drizzle though rather warm at times. Highest readings while we were away, Coventry 24.7c ((23rd) and Llanwnnen 21.2c same day. Coventry has had 116 hours of sun so far this month(rather dull) but Llanwnnen less than half that with just an estimated 54 hours (very dull).

Tue 23rd surprised about some heavy showers early this morning at LL which were not forecast, just 2 or 3mm in the Rugby area while Warwick Racecourse (EA) caught 13.4mm; warm and humid Mids, maxima Pershore 25.8c (warmest in UK), CITE 25.1c, Coventry 24.7c, CL 24.1c, Lwn 21.2c, Aberporth 16.7c. Wellesbourne 12mm wettest place officially Mids today while Coventry was the sunniest with 8.5 hours.

Warm/ hot end to July:

Sun 28th warm sunny periods widely, maxima Astwood Bank (Worc) 25.8c, Coventry 25.4c, Nott 24.7c, Lwn 23.7c, Shobdon 23.5c,  Trawsgoed 22.9c, Aberdaron 18.4c.

Mon 29th WW widely very warm inland with sunny periods, hot much of Mids: Maxima Astwood Bank 28.7c, Pershore 28.4c, Coventry 27.8c, Hereford, Llanwnnen & Nottingham 27.4c, Shawbury 26.5c, Trawsgoed 25.8c, Valley 20.2c. Here at Llanwnnen the warmest and sunniest day of the year to date (13 hours sun estimated).

Tue 30th warm or very warm generally, and hot S Mids & SE Wales: maxima Pershore 29.2c, Usk 29.0c, CL 28.3c, CITE 28.2c, Hereford 27.0c, Nottingham 26.4c, Pembrey Sands 24.5c, Shawbury 23.8c, Aberporth just 17.9c with sea breezes.

Nights thus far this spell have been refreshingly cool in the Welsh countryside, minima 28th Lwn 5.1c, 29th Tirabad 4.9c (coolest in UK) and 30th Swyddffynnon 7.4c.

Wed 31st very warm, locally hot WW with sunny periods, Mids hot: Maxima ROW 30.4c, Pershore 29.2c, CITE 29.1c, Hereford 28.9c, Coleshill 28.7c,  Lwn & Nottingham 28.2c (Lwn hottest day of the year to date), Shobdon 27.5c, MH, Tirabad & Trawsgoed 25.8c, Aberporth 20.7c (we were at nearby Llangrannog where it felt several degrees warmer), Mona 20.5c. Usk max 29.5c hottest place in Wales.

Nature notes

Tue 2nd Song Thrush singing well dusk have been quiet of late. 2 Swift seen to enter hall silently 2200, first west side towards near end window then one the other side towards second from far end window. That makes just 3 nests evidenced to date (usually 6 or so). Chicks audible in both of these nests of entry.

Wed 3rd Aberystwyth: several Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing by the river at Morrisons. Evening 15 to 20 House Martin and the odd Swift feeding same location. Surveyed the estate opposite the council/ Welsh Government building, counted 16 H Martin nests most in apexes, several doubles, 2 were in the corner of window recesses of top flats. Could be a few more that I missed too.

Thu 4th Lampeter Uni late afternoon: a few Swifts, one entered hole in chapel silently.

Fri 5th screaming Swifts over the church hall evening (half dozen or so).

Llanybydder: quite a few Swifts this evening, about 15 screaming around the warehouse, another 6 or 8 around the old station. Also Blackbird singing nicely which have nt heard these past few weeks.

Aberduar chapel: nice to see a dozen screaming Swift over the graveyard, only one pile of droppings evidenced on the ground however.

Forestry (large clearing southern area) on a very cool evening after dusk: walked the dead end track with views over the clearing to listen for potential Nightjars. One obliged calling 2145 in distance then one churred for several minutes around 2155 in near dark from several hundred metres away the far side of the clear area by the track over there.

Sun 7th about 10 screaming Swifts briefly over the church hall dusk.

Mon 8th around 20 Swift feeding over the village for over an hour this evening, at times right above the garden accompanied by a dozen mixed HM and Swallow. The Swifts broke into mini screaming parties at times, they were mostly at tree top height. One of the highest counts seen here.

Sat 13th Forestry dusk: Nightjar churred briefly 2150 from west slope above main road where cleared regrowth are meets extant mature forestry. Back at car 2245 Grasshopper Warbler reeling continuously field adjacent to main gate where it usually is. Only other bird song a distant Blackbird.

Sun 14th hall evidence of only 4 active nests now these have fresh droppings on the ground beneath, chicks audible from 2 of these nests above. There are 2 nests each side of the hall.

Thu 18th Lampeter Uni saw a Swift enter then 5 minutes later exit its nest hole in the chapel side of the quadrangle. Then 8 or 10 Swift over the building.

Dusk a dozen or so screaming party around the church for almost an hour, also about 10 H Marin and 10 Swallow.

Sat 20th Chiffchaff was still singing well until a week ago but now quiet, garden largely silent now..

Sat 20th to Wed 24th Long Lawford: Swifts seen and heard daily sometimes over the garden:

Sat 20th greeted by a dozen or so screaming Swifts on arrival LL this evening.

Sun 21st LL hundreds of Rooks and Jackdaws along with a few Starling on fields adjacent the bridal path. Plentiful Gatekeeper butterflies. About 25 Swift evening.

Mon 22nd LL 8 screaming Swifts came fairly low over the garden at times this evening, total of 15 to 20 Swifts about today. House Martin nests barely under the steep eaves of houses near the church hall in Chapel Street flying up to nests in spite of the proximity of wide open bedroom windows!

Tue 23rd LL party of 8 screaming Swifts low over the park and adjacent the house on Townsend Lane that has 3 boxes with call devices. Swift seen to enter gable end of house besides the shops on the estate (this was observed here several years ago too). .Red Kite at close quarters on the edge of the estate.

Wed 24th driving back:

Abergavenny: 2 Swift seen from Morrison car park this evening.

Llandovery dusk 25 to 30 screaming Swift over the town, decided to check out the college as the gate was open, much of it being private, Swifts were around the front hall building which had suitable gaps beneath the eaves, then saw one enter a hole with a few other flying up to where the gaps were. Suspect this may be a substantial colony. We were only there 10 minutes and unsure whether we would get locked in or not!

Fri 26th village: evening farm start of Neuadd lane seems to have quite a few HM nests also saw a Swallow go up by the Sat dish in an apex and so nesting on the  bracket? Dusk 6 to 8 screaming Swift church one seen to enter nest towards far west end window, chicks audible from this one, others seemingly quiet and so may have fledged.

Sat 27th Forestry (S) evening many Foxgloves still have top section in bloom.

Sun 28th 8 screaming Swifts dusk around church.

Mon 29th Carmarthen on a very warm sunny day for a change: quite a few Swifts screaming over the St Peters car park, decided to have a look at the former Grammar school (now council offices) which is a Victorian building, as approached lots of House Martins and a dozen screaming Swifts. Looked up and all around there were House Martin nests (perhaps 20 in total) some with young being fed, also many gaps suitable for Swifts and so must be a joint Martin/ Swift colony thriving here! Amazingly a bird of prey appeared as I was walking back along the driveway amongst the Martins and Swifts, it was not a Hobby, Peregrine or Sparrowhawk and smaller than a Kite/ Buzzard and had an obvious white rump and longish tail and I thought Harrier just as a man then came long saying 'are you looking at the Harrier?' It was a female Hen Harrier! This building Grade 2 listed.

Still Martins feeding at some of the 4 or 5 nests in Merlin's Walk.

Wed 31st Cwrtnewydd driving through half dozen screaming Swifts this afternoon, usual place by houses on right just past chapel.

Wed 31st Llangrannog afternoon walked a mile or so south along the coast path and back: plentiful Gatekeeper butterflies (as there were in the Midlands last week). Don't think ever seen a Swift around Llangrannog the hall (meeting house) by the church has what look like suitable gaps under the eaves but not even Sparrows inhabiting it.

Month end quite a few Butterfly during the good weather to end the month, especially Whites, a few Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown and Tortoiseshells. 

Summary July 2024

Rather cool/ average; rainfall varying from rather dry to wet; generally dull, near average E Mids

After the remarkable wet spell up to Spring Llanwnnen has just had its third drier than average month on the trot. It was though another very dull July (not as dull as 2023 with 91 hours estimated). At Coventry it was a very average July overall, the dull, cool and wet first half made up for by the very dry, quite sunny and warm second.

Rainfall totals July 2024

Mona, Anglesey 77.4mm (rather wet)

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 105.4mm (rather dry)

Aberdaron, Llyn Peninsular 85.4mm (wet)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 81.6mm (average)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog 70.4mm (average)

Llanwnnen, Ceredigion 64.5mm (70%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 60.2mm (rather dry)

Milford Haven, Pembs 67.8mm (average)

Nottingham (Watnall) 83.0mm (wet)

Shawbury, Salop 62.4mm (average)

Coleshill 56.6mm (average)

Coventry, Bablake School 66.4mm (slightly above average)

CL, Warks 55.8mm (slightly below average)

Pershore, Worc 61.4mm (rather wet)

Hereford 44mm (rather dry)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 54.6mm

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges 

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 87.4mm (rather wet)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 116.6mm (wet)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 146.8mm (rather dry)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 53.6mm (average)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 100.4mm (dry)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 73.4mm (average)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 75.8mm (average)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 97.8mm (rather wet)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 77.4mm (average)

Pencader (Carms)  60.4mm (dry)

Abergorllech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 86.8mm (average)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 77.6mm (rather dry)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 66.8mm (rather dry)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 78.6mm (average)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 74.6mm (rather wet)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 127.8mm (rather wet)

Tenby (Pembs) 73.0mm (average)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 61.0mm (average)

COL stations rainfall July 2024

Llansadwrn, Anglesey 102.4mm (132%)

Ludlow, Salop 47.4mm (73%)

Alvechurch, Worc 78.1mm (113%)

Warstock, Brum 81.2mm (121%)

Cosby, Leic 57.5mm (92%)

Towcester, Northants 70.6mm (130%)

Sunshine totals July 2024

Valley 165 hours (rather dull)

Aberdaron 161 hrs (rather dull)

Aberporth 137.4mm (dull)

Llanwnnen estimated 103 hrs (57%)

Nottingham 171.7 hrs (near average)

Shawbury 140.6 hrs (dull)

Coventry, Bablake School 180.8 hrs (92%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 149.5 hrs (dull)

COL stations sun Jul 2024

Ludlow 129.1 hours

Alvechurch 134.1 hrs

Cosby 181.5 hrs

Towcester 191.5 hrs

Weather log June 2024

Weather log June 2024

Key

WW = West Wales
Lwn = Llanwnnen
AG = Aldermans Green, Coventry
CL = Church Lawford
LL = Long Lawford
ROW = Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
CC = Capel Curig, Snowdonia
MH = Milford Haven
Carms = Carmarthenshire
Pembs = Pembrokeshire
Mids = Midlands
CITE = Coton-in-the-Elms, Derbyshire

EA = Environment Agency
est = estimated
inc = including
cf= compared with
srb = since records began
COL = Climatological Observers Link
PWS = Personal weather station
MO = Met Office
NRW = National Resources Wales

CC = Chiffchaff
WW= Willow Warbler
ST = Song Thrush
BB = Blackbird

Sun 2nd nice sunny day, warm Mids & S Wales, cooler exposed Cardigan Bay max Pershore 24.0c, Coventry & Mumbles 22.1c, Lwn 18.8c, Trawsgoed 17.8c, Aberporth 14.5c. Wellesbourne 14.9 hours sun, Nottingham 14.7 hrs, Lwn est 11 hours (foggy start here).

Much of early June though was cool with sunny spells, not much rain and cold enough at night for local grass frost:

Wed 5th cool night, local grass frost inc Coventry where although the air minimum was just 5.2c the grass thermometer got to -0.2c; other air min Tirabad +1.3c, Lwn 2.7c (grass min +1.0c), Shobdon 2.6c.

Some nice sunny days of late here in WW albeit cool breezes, very nice at Llangrannog Fri 7th.

Sun 9th local grass frosts again, Lwn air min 1.2c, although we do get June grass frost in about half of Junes, grass minima Pershore -1c, CL, Shobdon & Tirabad 0c; other minima Tirabad 2.2c, Pembrey Sands 3.1c, Shobdon 3.8c, mild on Anglesey (Valley min 10.8c).

Mon 10th scattered showers Mids, isolated thunder.

Tue 11th local touches of ground frost, air min Shobdon +1.4c, Tirabad 1.6c, Lwn 2.0c (no grass frost), Pembrey Sands 2.2c, Nottingham 9.2c, Aberporth 9.5c.

Thu 13th very cool day with spells of rain and drizzle for Wales and later Mids. Scolton Country Park 25.2mm wettest in UK. Maxima below 13c in places such as Lwn (12.9c).

Fri 14th showery, thunder in places.

Sat 15th torrential downpour early morning Llanwnnen gave 12mm in 45 minutes. Showery day again, hail and thunder in places. A line of thundery showers crossed the Mids affecting Coventry & Rugby just after midday, at LL lightning was overhead and described variously as a "thunderbolt" and "explosion" it was so close. The radar showed a 1 km square of 20mm accumulation over Long Lawford most of which would have fallen within 15 minutes, although this deluge missed the adjacent rain gauge network which were only in the 3- 6mm range (KN 5.4mm just a mile from LL).

First half of June has been very cool with rainfall variable; sun rather dull to average. Llanwnnen rainfall slightly above average thanks to the 12mm downpour early 15th.

Quite a notable cool spell for June 3rd to 13th (11 days), here at Lwn mean temperature to 15th just 11.0c and so the coolest such June spell of the past two decades, with no day over 17c and 5 nights below 5c. Note: the last really cool whole month of June was back in 1991 when mean maxima just 16.2c at Coventry and Llanpumsaint (Carms) recorded -1.7c on the 4th that month. Further back in June 1972 Birmingham did not manage 20c all month! Coolest June of the past two decades here at Lwn is 2008 (13.1c) so it would take a very warm second half to top that this year.

Rainfall totals June 1st to 0900 16th:

Mona 15.8mm (dry)

CC 54.4mm (rather dry)

Trawsgoed 50.2mm (rather wet)

Aberporth c 31mm (average)

Llanwnnen 41.0mm (average)

Pembrey Sands c 27mm (rather dry)

MH 20.2mm (dry)

Nottingham c 46mm (wet)

Coleshill 24.6mm (average)

Coventry 21.8mm (rather dry)

CL 10.0mm (very dry)

Pershore c 13mm (very dry)

Hereford c 18mm (rather dry)

Sun 16th end of the prolonged cool spell (below 17c since 3rd) max 17.7c here today.

Wed 19th first day of June to top 20c with max 20.6c here today, last 20c back on May 21st (max 20.4c).

Thu 20th widely warm sunny periods, Maxima Hereford & Llanwnnen 23.8c, Pershore 23.1c, CITE 23.0c, Coleshill & Nottingham 22.1c, Trawsgoed 20.8c, Aberporth 18.0c.

Fri 21st still warm and sunny most of Mids, cloudy, cooler some rain WW, maxima Wellesbourne 22.9c, Lwn 16.8c in contrast.

Widely warm/ very warm towards month end:

Sun 23rd warm or very warm Mids with sunny periods, WW rather cloudy near average/ rather warm: maxima CITE 25.6c, Hereford 25.4c, Coventry 25.3c, Nottingham 24.8c, Shawbury 24.0c, Lwn 19.7c, Trawsgoed 19.3c, Aberporth 17.4c.

Mon 24th still rather cloudy mid & SW Wales, sunny spells elsewhere, warm or very warm Mids, rather warm WW, maxima Nottingham & Wellesbourne 26.0c, Coventry 25.5c, Shobdon 22.6c, Trawsgoed 21.9c, Lwn  21.4c, Aberporth 17.3c.

Tue 25th warm night parts of Mids, minima Nottingham 15.5c, Coventry 15.1c, MH 14.4c, Shobdon & Trawsgoed 10.9c, Lwn 10.2c. By day sunny and hot much of Mids and SE Wales, WW merely warm as cloud eventually cleared pm; maxima Pershore College 29.0c, CITE & CL 28.5c, Hereford 28.4c, Nottingham 26.8c, Shawbury 25.7c,Tirabad 24.5c, Lwn 22.4c, Pembrey Sands 21.7c, Aberporth though just 16.3c; Usk max 27.7c warmest in Wales.

Wed 26th widely very warm/ hot: Astwood Bank (Worc) 29.0c, Hereford & Pershore 28.7c, Coventry 27.8c, CITE 27.5c, Llanwnnen 27.3c, Trawsgoed 26.6c, Nottingham 26.4c, Aberporth 22.0c (in spite of occasional sea mist), Aberdaron 19.9c; Cardiff Bute Park max 27.8c hottest spot in Wales.

Thu 27th much cooler though still rather warm Mids: maxima Wellesbourne 22.7c, Coventry 21.4c, Nottingham 20.6c, Lwn 18.0c, MH & Pembrey Sands 178.2c, CC 14.7c. Aberporth sunniest in UK today with 13 hours cf just 3.5 hours (estimated) here inland.

Sun 30th cool/ very cool to end June, maxima CC 14.1c, Aberporth & Trawsgoed 14.4c, Lwn 14.5c, Shawbury 14.7c, Market Bosworth 15.1c, Pembrey Sands 15.9c, CL & Coventry 16.4c, Pershore 18.8c.

Nature notes

Sat 1st dozen or so screaming Swift around dusk, plenty of House Martin & Swallow too. Willow Warbler singing in the churchyard which is unusual as tend to be down by the river.

Tue 4th 4 mile evening walk from the forestry around Mynydd Pencarreg: a cool early Summer evening with little bird song, Laburnums at peak bloom, still some Hawthorn with full blossom and still a few Bluebells out up here; half dozen Willow Warbler singing, Redstart heard, Skylark; at the end of the walk a Grasshopper warbler in the usual field as it was getting dark past 2200. temperature 6c at 2215.

Sun 9th first Swift egg shell on the ground, hall east end front window.

Mid month: Bird song has been much more subdued than in a typical June could be the cool breezy weather, Chiffchaff still going well though end of garden! Grass growth seems to have slowed thankfully. Quite a few dead or near dead Ash trees around now (would estimate 10-20% completely dead or soon to be dead), such a shame, the ones that are close to death (like one in our garden) are only able to put out small leaves while the healthy ones a few yards away full of lush branches with big leaves. Very few insects, bees or butterflies about (there were more in May which was warmer).

Wed 19th Newquay: Swifts blocked by scaffolding Pier old warehouse building. I saw Swifts in the vicinity 1800 so went to look and they were trying to access nest holes on the harbour side near the corner. A man behind me was filming them as he too was aware of this problem. We saw one successful entry but this took them maybe half dozen attempts and so they are at risk of colliding with the poles and the chicks may not be getting fed. The man said the scaffolding went up the other day and he had contacted the scaffolding company, the owners (council) and also the BTO. He said the scaffolders were due to come tomorrow, so I advised that they should remove the cross rails and kick board at minimum and preferably the platform boards too. He works on the 'Wildlife Tour' boat trip and had to go to this now. I then notice someone had stuck a note to the pole with a diagram drawn stating that the 'Swifts cannot perch or hop into their nest and need 4 metres clearance to fly in'. I decided to phone the scaffolders too, the man said they would come tomorrow but was concerned if the work could be carried out (leaky roof) with rails removed. I said that several people were aware of this issue and that the only people not yet contacted were the police as they were likely to be committing an offence. Will monitor tomorrow on the webcam to see if they address this and the man said he will look out for the scaffolders

Also Newquay fewer House Martin nests than last year when half dozen on one house in Marine Terrace alone, this year so far just the 2 on that house with maybe half dozen more scattered about the parts of the town we covered. Briefly sited a couple of Dolphins 1800 too. Several Chiffchaff singing.

Thu 20th Newquay update been checking the Newquay Dolphin webcam than pans around most hours to the building and to my surprise the scaffolding which had been up still to 1100 had all gone by 1300! Thanked the scaffolding company.

Fri 21st 2 egg shells on the ground near the far corner west side of church hall.

Sun 23rd attended a 'Nature Trail' event organised by the Church which was nice if flower orientated, the secretary of the Church is a keen birdwatcher, I enquired as to the fate of the hall which is no longer in use (used to be for Youth Club and as a Polling Station) he said it will be put up for sale 'but don't worry the Church moves very slowly'.

Mon 24th evening Llanybydder several Swift over the car park seen to enter the former warehouse; Rhydybont chapel 3 or 4 Swift 2 of which seen to enter nest holes simultaneously (one in the NW corner and one a few metres along and both into small holes little more than an inch into the slanting wooden soffit boards.

Forestry dusk: had a walk from the main gate, several CC, WW, ST and BB singing. After sunset awaited a Nightjar by the usual place (slope on NW edge) and felt dubious as to whether they would still be nesting here as the conifer regrowth is now thick at over 10 years. Just past 2200 distant churring so walked back along track towards it some 300 metres. Stopped and listened for 5 minutes it was within 100m calling from a tree besides the track. It then alighted across the ride. Returned to the usual area but nothing so I guess they may now be using one of the extensive areas cleared of larch in 2020? Last of the Laburnums fading to seed.

Wed 26th a garden first Crossbills flew overhead (heard not seen).

Wed 26th Newquay: plenty of House Martin ever present through the 5 hours we were there, young fledglings practicing their flights. Chiffchaff singing loud and purposeful near the Sea Food factory. On the cliff top a few Chough, Whitethroat, also Kittiwakes around Bird Rock below. Half dozen distant Dolphin. Several swift briefly about then towards dusk around a dozen over the town, hoped to see activity over the Pier building but none, they were mostly above the town, saw one enter a gable end in Park St (viewed from adjacent car park) entered a gap between the chimney breast and roof.

Fri 28th southern forestry vicinity (circumnavigation of cleared scrubby area adjacent south side): Reed Buntings calling, also Linnets; lane back and Meadow Pipits and a Skylark (could not see it), then towards Caermalwas family of Swallows swooping over the fields with their young which are rather buff. 2 orchids further back along this wild lane.

Dusk Family of House Martin feeding above the gardens. Many Hirundine young airborne this past week.

Sun 30th squashed dead bird middle of the road near end of hall, think a Swift but not certain as poor condition. Only the second such road fatality noticed in 10 years, other fatalities in that time a dead bird on pavement opposite hotel, while over 15 years ago adult got stuck entering a nest hole perished, additionally perhaps half dozen chicks fallen to ground, so not so bad overall. One Swift made entry whooshing close to my head in to hole towards centre of hall. Dozen or so Swallows inc recently fledged chick over village some seen entering church tower where there are nests and have been in the past. No bird song at all dusk.

Month end: Bird song really dropped off second half of the month, disappointing as it usually quite good even into July. Chiffchaff at end of garden still going quite well although not as continuously as much of April & May! Not heard a single Grasshopper so far this Summer, usually very active on sunny days. Most insects notable by their absence this Summer so far.

 

June 2024 summary

Cool WW, rather cool Midlands; very dry to average rainfall; sunshine around average

First half very cool, last third warm: here at Llanwnnen the coolest June srb 2006 (beating 13.1c mean in June 2008). Nearer average parts of Mids. 

Most places a dry month, much of the Midlands and SW Wales less than half the average; Church Lawford had a very dry June. Just a few spots up to average .

Many places June sunshine around (within 15%) of average.

Rainfall totals June 2024

Capel Curig, Snowdonia 69.4mm (dry)

Mona, Anglesey 30.8mm (dry)

Trawsgoed, Ceredigion 57.0mm (rather dry)

Aberporth, near Llangrannog c 40mm (rather dry)

Llanwnnen 46.0mm (56%)

Pembrey Sands, Carms 35.8mm (dry)

Milford Haven, Pembs 28.0mm (very dry)

Nottingham (Watnall) 47.0mm (rather dry)

Shawbury, Salop c 47mm (near average)

Coleshill c 25mm (very dry)

Coventry, Bablake School 23.0mm (39%)

CL, Warks 11.8mm (21%)

Pershore, Worc 13.2mm (very dry)

Shobdon (Herefordshire)  31.0mm (dry)

King's Newnham EA gauge (near Rugby) 14.6mm 

National Resources Wales (NRW) rain gauges June 2024

Llyn Cefni, Ynys Mon 22.8mm (very dry)

Bethesda Quarry (Gwynedd) 58.2mm (dry)

Cwm Dyli (Snowdonia) 123.2mm (dry)

Abersoch (Llyn Peninsular) 29.0mm (dry)

Corris (near Machynlleth) 90.8mm (rather dry)

Bow Street (near Aberystwyth) 44.6mm (dry)

Pontrhydfendigaid (near Tregaron, Ceredigion) 60.2mm (rather dry)

Rhos Ymryson (near Gorscoch and 5 miles NW of Lwn) 54.2mm (dry)

Cellan (2 miles NE of Lampeter) 51.8mm (dry)

Pencader (Carms) 50.0mm (dry)

Abergorllech (Brechfa Forest, Carms) 48.8mm (very dry)

Rhydargaeau (Carms) 55.8mm (very dry)

Garnswllt (near Ammanford, Carms) 35.6mm (very dry)

Felinfoel (near Llanelli, Carms) 36.2mm (very dry)

Ferwig (near Cardigan) 31.2mm (very dry)

Maenclochog (near Preselis, Pembs) 67.6mm (dry)

Tenby (Pembs) 30.2mm (very dry)

Bolton Hill (near Haverfordwest, Pembs) 27.8mm (very dry)

COL stations rainfall June 2024

Llansadwrn 48.9mm (66%)

Ludlow, Salop 32.7mm (48%)

Alvechurch, Worc 31.1mm (44%)

Warstock, Brum 26.8mm (37%)

Cosby, Leic 24.7mm (38%)

Hinckley 20.4mm

Towcester, Northants 28.2mm (49%)

Sunshine totals June 2024

Aberdaron  225 hours (average)

Aberporth 183.4 hrs (near average)

Llanwnnen estimated  149 hours (92%)

Nottingham 161.5 hrs (average)

Shawbury 160.6 hrs (near average)

Coventry, Bablake School 207 hours (108%)

Shobdon, Herefordshire 169.3 hrs (average)

COL stations sun

Ludlow 146.9 hours

Alvechurch 147.5 hrs

Cosby 204.0 hrs

Towcester 226.3 hrs